Apple tree named ‘Mahana Red Braeburn’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apple tree named ‘Mahana Red Braeburn’ is disclosed. The fruit of the new variety is notable for its high color as compared to the fruit of other known ‘Braeburn’ trees.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus Mill.

Variety denomination: ‘Mahana Red Braeburn’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

‘Mahana Red Braeburn’ originated as a limb sport mutation on a ‘Braeburn’ (unpatented) apple tree in an established orchard at Nelson, New Zealand. ‘Mahana Red Braeburn’ was first asexually propagated by budding by the inventor in New Zealand, and later at East Wenatchee, Wash., USA, and has been shown to remain true to type over successive generations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Mahana Red Braeburn’ apple tree is similar to ‘Braeburn’ in many respects, but is particularly distinguishable from ‘Braeburn’ and other known varieties by its attractive, highly colored fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

FIG. 1 shows the fruit and leaves of ‘Mahana Red Braeburn’; and

FIG. 2 shows the blossom, branches and leaves of ‘Mahana Red Braeburn.’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new and distinct variety of apple tree, based on observations of five year old specimens grown in New Zealand during the 1999 growing season, and Wenatchee, Wash., USA, during the 2004 growing season. All colors are described according to the Munsell Book of Colors. It should be understood that the botanical features described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Tree: Medium vigor; ramified; habit initially upright, becoming     spreading to drooping; width 2.5 m; height 3.4 m; trunk diameter 10     cm at 30 cm above ground; bark smooth, becoming furrowed; color     brown with grayish bloom (7.5 YR 3/6); lenticels elongated, tan (7.5     R 8/2), length 3.0 to 5.0 mm, width 1.0 to 2.0 mm. -   Branch: 25 degree to 45 degree angle at emergence; size and texture     typical of ‘Braeburn’ (not patented); mature branch diameter 5 cm at     20 cm from crotch of tree; color reddish brown (7.5 R 3/4), becoming     brown (10 YR 4/4) on older wood. -   One year old shoot: Upright; vigorous; length 30 to 80 cm; diameter     0.5 to 1.0 cm; Strong pubescence on upper half; length of internode     avg. 2.6 cm; lenticels sparse, round, tan (7.5 R 8/2), diameter 0.5     mm, becoming more numerous on older wood. -   Leaves: Length 6.5 to 8.5 cm, avg. 7.4 cm; width 4 to 5 cm, avg. 4.3     cm; Margin finely serrate to crenate; tip mostly acute; stipules     small, length 5 to 8 mm, width 1 mm; leaf color grey green (5 GY     5/4); pubescence very fine, colorless; petiole length 2.2 to 3.5 cm,     avg. 2.8 cm; petiole color grey green (10 GY 7/2); veins pale grey     green (10 GY 7/2). -   Flower: Medium size, diameter about 35 mm fully open; color of     unopened flower at balloon stage, dark pink (7.5 R 3/10); color of     fully open flower pure white on upper surface, lower surface retains     pink color (5 R 4/12) near center of flower; petals oblong,     touching, length 20 mm, width 8 mm; sepal length 6 mm, width 4 mm,     color light green (2.5 GY 8/6), finely pubescent, arranged in a     single row, average of 16 stames per flower; anthers light yellow     (5Y 8.5/10); pistil has stigma curving slightly at distal end, club     shaped, five styles fused at base approximately 10 mm in length;     pollen light yellow (5Y 8.5/10); light fragrance not distinguishable     from ‘Braeburn’; First bloom April 12, full bloom April 17, petal     fall April 27 (based on observations made during 2004 growing season     in East Wenatchee, Wash., USA). -   Fruit (based on observations made at mid harvest during 2001 growing     season in East Wenatchee, Wash., USA):     -   -   Size.—Medium to large, diameter 7.5 to 8.0 cm, mass 290 g             (compare to ‘Joburn’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,992).         -   Form.—Oblong, symmetric; ribbing absent; slightly tapering             at distal end, with inconspicuous lobes.         -   Stem.—Cavity width medium, 40 to 45 mm; depth medium, 15 mm,             acute; basin cavity broad, 30 to 35 mm, shallow, 10 mm,             obtuse; stem length 20 mm, width 2 mm, reddish green,             colorless pubescence.         -   Eye aperture.—Slightly lobed, depth 1.0 cm, width 2.0 to             2.5.         -   Locules.—Medium size, quantity 5, open.         -   Skin.—Smooth, naturally glossy, no tendency to become             greasy, not prone to russet, no tendency toward cracking in             stem cavity, very thin.         -   Lenticels.—White, medium to numerous in density (5 to 15 per             cm²), round, more numerous toward apex, generally 1 mm or             less in size.         -   Color.—General color effect bright red blush and stripe over             90 to 100% of fruit surface except around stem, where             greenish ground color persists; ground color yellowish green             (10 Y 6/8), primarily around stem cavity; over color bright             pinkish red (10 RP 4/14); no russet observed; flesh color             off white (7.5 Y 9/6).         -   Texture.—Very firm, crisp, juicy at prime maturity.         -   Flavor.—Sprightly subacid to acid, typical of ‘Braeburn’;             acidity high at harvest, up to 85%, decreasing with storage.         -   Aroma.—Typical for species.         -   Core.—Round, small, diameter 25 mm, length 28 mm; number of             bundles ten; core lines indistinct; core open, calyx tube             short, closed.         -   Seed.—Obovate, 2 per cell, color brown (10 YR 3/6), length 8             mm, width 4 mm, with loose adherence to carpel wall.         -   Storage.—Excellent, 6 to 8 months at 34 degrees F., 9 to 12             months in controlled atmosphere storage.         -   Market use.—Dessert and culinary. -   Cold hardiness: No winter damage observed in Washington or New     Zealand; similar to ‘Braeburn.’ -   Disease resistance: Similar to ‘Braeburn’; no special resistance     noted. 

1. A new and distinct apple tree substantially as described and illustrated herein. 